Deacon

Deacon is a recently coined masculine given name, from the title for an ordained member of the Christian clergy, one who ranks beneath a priest or minister. The word ultimately comes from the Latin “diaconus” which was borrowed from the Greek διάκονος (diakonos) meaning “servant”. The role and qualifications of the deacon is outlined by Paul in one of his letters to Timothy: “Deacons likewise must be dignified, not devious in speech, not addicted to too much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain…husband of one wife, managing their children and households well.” [1 Timothy 3:8-12]. That’s a pretty tall order! As a forename, Deacon is primarily used in the United States, popularized by celebrities Reese Witherspoon and her then-husband Ryan Phillippe who named their son Deacon at the end of 2003. They named him after a distant relative of Ryan’s, baseball player "Deacon" Phillippe who played for the Pittsburgh Pirates (1900-1911). The baseball player was actually born Charles Louis Phillippe but acquired the nickname “Deacon” because, as a strict Lutheran, he refused to partake in the typical lifestyle choices of ball players on the road (drinking, gambling and women). Apparently, he behaved like a “Deacon”.